FX Renews ‘Archer’ for Three More Seasons

Over the past couple of years, cable network FX has bid a fond farewell to some of its most popular shows, including Sons of Anarchy, The League and Justified. After seven seasons, many thought that Archer might be the latest series on the chopping block, but that’s not the case at all – the debonair and debaucherous super-spy isn’t going anywhere, with FX Presidents of Original Programming Nick Grad and Eric Schrier announcing via press release that Archer had been renewed for three more seasons.

Consisting of 8 episodes, the 8th season of Archer will premiere in early 2017, with two additional 8-episode seasons scheduled to follow. The network has also signed a overall deal with Floyd Country Productions, the team behind the hit animated series. In a statement, Grad expressed his enthusiasm for continuing the network’s relationship with the Archer staff:

“We can’t say enough about what Adam, Matt and the entire Archer team at Floyd County have done to keep this series so insanely funny and vital through seven seasons. The move to Los Angeles this past season as private detectives was just the latest twist in Archer’s legendary exploits and the next three seasons will to be just as amazing and unpredictable. We are thrilled to continue making great TV with our friends and colleagues at Floyd County.”

If you’re not familiar with Archer, it’s a hilariously offensive half-hour comedy series about a former spy agency that becomes a private investigation firm, led by the highly skilled and incredibly arrogant Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin). The show features a bizarre collection of supporting characters, including Archer’s fellow spy and sometimes lover, Lana (Aisha Tyler), the agency’s clueless secretary, Cheryl (Judy Greer), and Krieger (Lucky Yates), a mad scientist who may or may not have created a clone of himself.

I’ve been a huge fan of this series for years, and the creative team somehow manages to keep the laughs coming every season by introducing the cast into increasingly ridiculous scenarios and allowing them to bribe, bicker, and backstab each other for personal gain, rather than for the good of the mission or their clients. With an endless supply of quotable dialogue and a rabid fanbase, Archer has the potential to go down in history as one of the greatest adult-themed animated series of all time, and three more seasons should help FX secure the show’s legacy.

Brent Hankins

Brent Hankins is a member of the Phoenix Critics Circle and co-host of the Drinks and Discourse podcast. He's also the proud owner of an Italian Greyhound named Sullivan. He's adorable (the dog, not the author).